Which military service allows its NCOs to carry swords?

Prepare for the USMC Battle Skills Test with comprehensive quizzes featuring multiple-choice questions. Gain confidence and improve your skills with detailed explanations and references.

The Marine Corps is the only military service that officially allows its Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) to carry swords as part of their dress uniform. The sword carries significant historical and ceremonial value, symbolizing authority and a proud tradition within the Corps. This practice is rooted in the Marine Corps' emphasis on leadership and esprit de corps, where the sword is not only an emblem of rank but also a tool to instill discipline and serve in ceremonial functions.

Other branches like the Army, Navy, and Air Force have their own ranges of sidearms and ceremonial regalia, but they do not have the extended tradition of sword-carrying among their NCOs as the Marine Corps does. While Army officers do carry swords, NCOs in the Army do not have a similar custom, thus reinforcing the uniqueness of the Marine Corps tradition in this regard.

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